JP2005244748A - Image processing method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce page memories, etc. when enabling printing-processing using tag data showing the attribute of an image. <P>SOLUTION: In an image processing part 22 installed in an image processing apparatus, a RIP (Routing Information Protocol) processing part 24 generates bitmap data according to the image data, divides the bitmap data into a part for 1 scanning line, and outputs them, and a compression part 28 performs compression processing. Moreover, the image processing part comprises a tag data creation part 26, and the tag data creation part creates tag data for each pixel. Moreover, the tag data creation part makes tag data for a plurality of pixels as a block, and at the same time, creates tag data for a scanning line. A compression part 30 performs compression processing of the tag data. Thereby, it is possible to make page memories for the tag data unnecessary, since bitmap data of a scanning line and the bitmap data are continuously written in page memories. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that enables print processing based on image data or a drawing command, and more specifically, an image that generates bitmap data based on image data or a drawing command and outputs the bitmap data to a print output device. The present invention relates to a processing method and an image processing apparatus.

  In recent years, high-precision print output devices such as laser printers have become widespread, and even in the field of DTP where high-precision print output is required, creation, editing, and editing on an image processing terminal such as a personal computer or workstation This is used when proofing a page layout created by processing or the like.

  Color printers perform so-called screen processing for gradation expression, and can give priority to resolution over gradation for text images such as characters, and gradation over resolution for image images such as photographic images. In other words, so-called screen processing is possible.

  In such screen processing, when raster data (bitmap data) is generated based on image data or a drawing command, multi-value data is generated as binary data for each pixel as tag data. When printing processing based on bitmap data is performed, it is possible to give priority to gradation and resolution for each image by switching screen processing (screen frequency) based on the tag data.

  As a result, it is possible to form characters or the like with high resolution (thin line emphasis), and photographic images or the like with gradation emphasis.

  By the way, the image processing apparatus is provided with a page memory for storing bit map data for each page and a page memory for storing tag data for the corresponding bit map data, and the bit map read from each page memory in a time division manner. A proposal has been made to achieve print processing using tag data by a general-purpose computer architecture by outputting data and tag data in association with each pixel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  That is, in this proposal, a page memory for storing bitmap data and a tag memory for storing tag data are provided, each of the bitmap data and the tag data is compressed, and the compressed bitmap data is stored in the page memory. The compressed tag data is stored in the tag data memory. In the above proposal, a FIFO (First-in First-out) line buffer memory and a decompressor for each of the bitmap data and the tag data are provided, and the bitmap data and the tag data are transferred to the printer (print output device) via the interface. ), The data is read from the page memory to the bitmap data FIFO memory and decompressed by the decompressor, and the tag data is read from the tag data page memory to the FIFO memory and decompressed by the tag data decompressor. Process.

  Thereafter, the bitmap data for one pixel and the tag data corresponding to the bitmap data are output from the decompressor to the print output device via the interface so that the printing process is performed.

  However, in the above configuration, it is necessary to use a page memory for tag data. For this reason, it is necessary to write to and read from the page memory for bitmap data and to write to and read from the page memory for tag data. However, since one DMA controller requires complicated processing, a DMA controller is provided for each page memory, resulting in a complicated hardware configuration.

In addition, each page memory needs to have a capacity that matches the maximum size image that can be printed, but some print jobs do not use tag data. This leads to cost reduction, simplification of hardware configuration and complicated control.
JP-A-11-203071

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to propose an image processing method and an image processing apparatus that can reduce the page memory and simplify the hardware configuration.

  An image processing method for achieving the above object includes a bitmap data for print output to be processed by a print output device based on a drawing command or image data, and an attribute indicating an image attribute based on the drawing command or image data. An image processing method for generating tag data for each pixel forming an image and outputting the tag data to the print output device, wherein the bitmap data is divided and compressed for each scan line in the print output device. The tag data for each one scan line is generated from the tag data generated for each pixel of the one scan line, and the bitmap data and the tag data for one scan line are continuously stored in the storage means. Thereafter, the bitmap data and the tag data for each scanning line are sequentially read from the storage means, and a predetermined conversion process is performed. And outputting to the serial print output device.

  According to the present invention, the bitmap data is divided into one scanning line, and the tag data for each pixel of one scanning line is combined into one tag data. At this time, if each pixel is 8 bits, it is preferable to generate tag data for one scanning line by generating tag data of 8 bits by making tag data of a plurality of pixels into one pack.

  Since the bitmap data and tag data formed in this way can be stored in one storage means, the page memory used as the storage means is stored in one, and the bitmap data and tag data are stored. can do.

  Further, when outputting to the print output device, the bitmap data and the tag data stored in the storage means can be read continuously for each scanning line, so that the hardware configuration and the control of the storage means become extremely easy.

  The image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied shows bitmap data for print output processed by the print output apparatus based on the image data or the drawing command, and image attributes based on the drawing command or the image data. An image processing apparatus for outputting tag data for each pixel forming a corresponding image, generating bitmap data based on the image data or a drawing command, and scanning the bitmap data with the print output apparatus RIP means for dividing and outputting for each line; compression means for compressing bitmap data output in the order of output from the RIP means; and generating the tag data for each pixel, and generating the generated tag data Tag data generating means for outputting collectively for each scanning line, the bitmap data and the tag data Storage means, the bitmap data of the one scanning line and the tag data corresponding to the bitmap data are stored in the storage means in succession, and the bitmap data and the tag data are continuously stored. Any storage control unit that reads out and output unit that converts the bitmap data and the tag data read out from the storage unit and outputs them for printing processing may be used.

  In the image processing apparatus, the output means decompresses the compressed bitmap data and outputs one pixel at a time, and extracts tag data for each pixel from the tag data for one scan line. Tag data conversion means for outputting tag data corresponding to the bitmap data output from the decompression means, and the tag data output from the conversion means is added to the bitmap data output from the decompression means. And combining means for generating the image data for printing for one pixel and outputting the image data to the print output apparatus.

  In this case, the storage control means may be any means as long as it distributes the bitmap data and the tag data read from the storage means to the decompression means and the tag data conversion means.

  Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a tag data compression unit that compresses the tag data output from the tag data generation unit, and the compressed tag data conversion unit of the output unit compresses the compressed tag data. Tag data decompression means for decompressing the tag data can be included.

  As described above, according to the present invention, bitmap data is divided into one scanning line, and tag data is generated for each divided bitmap data. Therefore, bitmap data and tag data are alternately and continuously stored in the storage means. Can be stored.

  As a result, the storage means for storing the bitmap data and the tag data can be integrated into one, and the excellent effect that the control of the storage means and the hardware configuration for the control can be simplified can be obtained. It is done.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of an image processing apparatus 10 applied to the present embodiment. A print output device 12 is connected to the image processing device 10.

  The image processing apparatus 10 applied to the present embodiment has a general configuration including a computer in which a CPU 14 and a memory 16 or the like for storing various data are connected by a bus 18, and is stored in the memory 16 or the like. The CPU 14 has a general configuration in which various processes are executed by a control program.

  The image processing apparatus 10 is provided with a communication unit 20. Various image processing such as a personal computer and a workstation that create images such as page layouts using various applications via the communication unit 20. The terminal is connected to the network.

  When a page layout, a document, or the like created by the image processing terminal is input as a print job, the image processing apparatus 10 performs various image processing on the print job and outputs the processed image to the print output apparatus 12. As a result, an image corresponding to the print job is formed on the recording paper and output.

  That is, the image processing apparatus 10 is used as a network printer or a print server. The image processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a copying machine that reads an image recorded on a document and prints out an image corresponding to the read image (image data), a copying machine function, and a facsimile communication function. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus having an arbitrary configuration that performs print processing based on image data or a drawing command, such as a multifunction device provided, or a multifunction device provided with a print server function.

  As the print output device 12, for example, an arbitrary configuration such as forming an image on recording paper by an electrophotographic process can be applied. At this time, the print output apparatus 10 receives bit map data of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) from the image processing apparatus 10 for each scanning line. Thus, a laser beam is scanned based on the input bitmap data to form a color image.

  In addition, the print output apparatus 10 emphasizes fine line processing that emphasizes resolution rather than gradation and enhances reproducibility of thin lines, etc., and emphasizes gradation rather than resolution and emphasizes reproducibility of high-definition images. Processing is possible, and thin line emphasis / gradation emphasis can be switched by an identification code (tag data) added to each pixel of bitmap data.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, an image processing unit 22 is formed by the CPU 14 in the image processing apparatus 10. The image processing unit 22 includes a RIP processing unit 24 that generates raster data (bitmap data) based on image data input from an image processing terminal. The RIP processing unit 24 generates raster data for each color of C, M, Y, and K.

  Accordingly, by outputting the raster data generated by the RIP processing unit 24 to the print output device 12, an image corresponding to the image data can be formed on the recording paper.

  Incidentally, a tag data generation unit 26 is provided in the image processing unit 22 of the image processing apparatus 10. In the tag data generation unit 26, when image data is output from the image processing terminal as a print job, if print processing with emphasis on fine lines and tone is set, bits formed by RIP processing For each pixel on the map data, tag data indicating the attribute of the image represented by the pixel is generated.

  Examples of the attributes for classifying the image (object) include characters, line drawings, natural images, and graphic elements.

  Here, when forming a corresponding image using the print output device 12, it is possible to distinguish at least “character / line image” or “others” by distinguishing with gradation priority or fine line priority. Further, when the gradation priority and the fine line priority are provided, it can be distinguished from “character / line image”, “natural image”, “graphic element”, or “other”.

  From here, the tag data generation unit 26 generates tag data indicating the attribute of each pixel on the bitmap data in one or two bits.

  Table 1 shows functions for tag data when forming 1-bit tag data, and Table 2 shows functions for tag data when forming 2-bit tag data.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the tag data generation unit 26 generates the 2-bit tag data shown in Table 2 as an example.

  In the RIP processing unit 24, when the emphasis on thin lines and gradation is set, when outputting raster data of each color, the RIP processing unit 24 divides the scanning output unit 12 into one scanning line. In the present embodiment, as an example, bitmap data is generated so that one pixel is formed of 8 bits.

  On the other hand, the tag data generation unit 26 combines the tag data of each pixel forming the raster data for one line output from the RIP processing unit 24 into one tag data for a predetermined number of pixels. Output in synchronization with the output of raster data for one line.

  At this time, since each pixel of the raster data is formed with 8 bits, in this embodiment, tag data for 4 pixels is combined into one pack, and the tag data of one pack is 8 bits. The tag data thus formed and packed is output line by line (one line). When tag data for one pixel is formed with 1 bit, tag data for 8 pixels is made into one pack, so that one pack can output tag data with 8 bits.

  The image processing unit 22 includes a compression unit 28 for bitmap data and a compression unit 30 for tag data.

  The compression unit 28 performs compression processing on the bitmap data output line by line from the RIP processing unit 24 and outputs the result. In addition, the compression unit 30 performs compression processing on the tag data for one line output from the tag data generation unit 26 and outputs the compressed data at a predetermined timing. In addition, although the compression parts 28 and 30 can use arbitrary compression systems, it is more preferable to use the RLC (run-length coding) system which performs reversible compression.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 is provided with a page memory 34 as storage means together with the output interface unit 32, and the image processing apparatus 10 receives the print output device via the output interface unit 32. 12 is connected.

  The output interface unit 32 is provided with a bus bridge 40 including a bus arbitration circuit 36 and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) 38, and a page memory 34 is connected to the bus bridge 40 via the DMA 38.

  The DMA 38 stores in the page memory 34 bitmap data and tag data that are alternately output from the compression units 28 and 30 for each line. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, each of the bitmap data and the tag data is partitioned by being provided with a marker.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the bitmap data and the tag data are stored in the page memory 34 in order for each line. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of a color image, bitmap data and tag data of each color of C, M, Y, and K are provided in areas 34C, 34M, 34Y, 34K. 3A and FIG. 3B, if one page is 4961 lines, the 4961st line is the final line.

  The output interface unit 32 includes a first-in first-out (FIFO) memory 42 serving as a line buffer for bitmap data, a FIFO memory 44 serving as a line buffer memory for tag data, and a decompression unit that decompresses bitmap data. 46, a synthesizing circuit 50 and an interface control unit 52 are provided together with an expansion unit 48 for expanding the tag data.

  In the image processing apparatus 10, for example, when bitmap data and tag data for one page are stored in the page memory 34, the bitmap data and tag data are output to the print output apparatus 12.

  At this time, when reading the tag data for one line from the page memory 34, the DMA 38 stores the bitmap data in the FIFO memory 42, and then reads the tag data for the bitmap data from the page memory 34. Store in the FIFO memory 44. That is, the DMA 38 alternately reads bitmap data and tag data from the page memory 34 and stores them in the FIFO memories 42 and 44.

  The FIFO memories 42 and 44 output the input bitmap data or tag data to the expansion unit 46 or the expansion unit 48 in a first-in first-out manner. The decompression unit 46 performs decompression processing on the compressed bitmap data input from the FIFO memory 42, and outputs it to the synthesis circuit 50 by one pixel (8-bit data).

  The decompression unit 44 performs decompression processing on the compressed tag data input from the FIFO memory 44. Further, since the tag data is packed with a plurality of pixels into one to form 8-bit data, the decompression unit 44 divides the tag data into tag data for one pixel, and from the decompression unit 42 In synchronization with outputting the bitmap data for one pixel, the tag data (2-bit data) of the corresponding pixel is output to the synthesis circuit 50. That is, the decompression unit 44 performs decompression processing and parallel / serial conversion.

  The combining circuit 50 combines the bitmap data input from the expansion unit 42 and the tag data output from the expansion unit 44 to generate print image data for one pixel, and the print image data for one line. Output one by one. At this time, the synthesis circuit 50 adds 2-bit tag data to 8-bit bitmap data to generate 10-bit print output image data. Even when 1-bit tag data is used, 10-bit printing image data may be generated.

  The interface control unit 52 outputs the print image data input from the synthesis circuit 50 to the print output device 12.

  When print image data is input from the image processing apparatus 10 (interface control unit 52), the print output device 12 performs print processing with reference to tag data for each pixel. Thereby, in the print output device 12, each pixel is formed with emphasis on gradation, thin line, etc. based on the attribute of the image (object) represented by the pixel.

  In the image processing apparatus 10 configured as described above, when a print job is input from the image processing terminal, predetermined image processing and RIP processing are performed based on the image data of the print job to generate bitmap data. This bitmap data is compressed and stored in the page memory 34, for example, one page at a time. Thereafter, the data is read from the page memory 34 and decompressed, and then output to the print output device 12 as print image data.

  As a result, the print output device 12 forms an image based on the print image data on the recording paper and outputs it.

  By the way, in the image processing apparatus 10, for example, when thin line emphasis / gradation emphasis processing is set in a print job input from the image processing terminal, tag data specifying processing for each pixel forming an image (object) is added. The tag data and the bitmap data are generated and output to the print output device 12 as print image data.

  Here, for example, output of printing image data to which tag data is added from generation of tag data will be described.

  In the image processing apparatus 10, when a print job (image data) is input, the RIP processing unit 24 performs RIP processing for generating bitmap data (raster data) based on the image data. At the same time, the tag data generation unit 26 divides the image (object) and generates tag data for each pixel forming the object.

  The RIP processing unit 24 outputs the generated bitmap data to the compression unit 28 in units of blocks, with one scan line in the print output apparatus 10 as one block. As a result, the compression unit 28 compresses the bitmap data one line at a time.

  Further, the tag data generation unit 26 generates raster data by making tag data for a predetermined pixel into one pack, and outputs the generated raster data to the compression unit 30 line by line. As a result, the compression unit 30 compresses the tag data by one line and outputs it. In the compression units 28 and 30, a marker is attached to each of the raster data and tag data for one line subjected to the compression processing and output.

  One page of the compressed bitmap data and the compressed tag data generated in this way is stored in the page memory 34.

  The DMA 38 provided in the bus bridge 40 alternately reads compressed bitmap data and tag data generated for each line and stores them in the page memory 34.

  As a result, the page memory 34 continuously stores bitmap data and tag data for one line.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 10 divides and generates bitmap data for each line and also generates tag data for each line, so that raster data can be stored in one page memory. it can.

  On the other hand, when the bitmap data and tag data for one page are stored in the page memory 34, the output interface unit 32 reads the bitmap data and tag data from the page memory 34 based on a request from the print output device 12. Then, print image data is generated and output to the print output device 12.

  At this time, when the DMA 38 provided in the output interface unit 32 reads the bitmap data for one line from the page memory 34, the DMA 38 outputs the bitmap data to the decompression unit 46 via the FIFO memory 42, and the next tag The data is read, and the read tag data is output to the decompression unit 48 via the FIFO memory 44.

  That is, in the DMA 38, bitmap data and tag data are continuously read from the page memory 34, switched to the FIFO memory 42 and the FIFO memory 44 based on the marker, and alternately output.

  The decompression unit 46 decompresses the compressed bitmap data input from the FIFO memory 42 and outputs the compressed bitmap data to the synthesis circuit 50 one pixel at a time. Further, the decompression unit 48 performs decompression processing on the compressed tag data input from the FIFO memory 44, and further divides the tag data into pixels and outputs the bitmap data from the decompression unit 48. In synchronization, tag data corresponding to the pixels of the bitmap data output from the decompression unit 46 is output to the synthesis circuit 50.

  In the synthesis circuit 50, one-pixel bitmap data (8 bits) input from the decompression unit 46 and one-pixel tag data (2 bits) output from the decompression unit 48 in association with the bitmap data. ) And the synthesized data is output as print image data (10 bits) to be processed by the print output device 12.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 10 compresses the bitmap data generated by the RIP process by dividing it into one line. Also, tag data is output line by line. At this time, tag data for a plurality of continuous pixels is output as one pack.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 10 stores the bitmap data for one line and the tag data in a single page memory 34 continuously.

  That is, when generating bitmap data and tag data corresponding to the bitmap data, conventionally, a page memory for bitmap data and a page memory for tag data have been provided. Raster data and tag data are not processed separately, but are divided by one line, so that bitmap data and tag data for one line are processed as data for one line, thereby providing one page memory 34. To store.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 10 does not require a page memory for tag data. That is, some print jobs processed by the image processing apparatus 10 do not require tag data. When processing such a print job, the page memory for tag data is not used and is wasted. The image processing apparatus 10 can omit a page memory for tag data that may be wasted depending on the print job to be processed.

  In particular, the page memory needs to have a capacity corresponding to the maximum size image processed by the image processing apparatus 10 or the print output apparatus 12, and having two page memories is a great waste, but this waste. You can cut it off.

  Also, if there is a page memory for bitmap data and a page memory for tag data, a single DMA circuit complicates the processing for writing and reading data to and from these page memories. Therefore, two DMA circuits are required.

  On the other hand, since the image processing apparatus 10 stores bitmap data and tag data in one page memory 34, it is possible to perform processing by one DMA circuit (DMA 38), and an output interface. The hardware configuration of the unit 32 can be simplified.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the print output apparatus 12 that scans a laser beam to form an image, one scan is performed from the end of scanning for one line until the start of scanning of the next line. The image processing apparatus 10 needs to output image data for printing of the next scanning line at least during this one scanning cycle. In FIG. 4A, ON indicates that writing is being performed, and OFF indicates that writing is being stopped.

  At this time, if the bitmap data and tag data for one page are not divided, as shown in FIG. 4C, the bitmap data decompression process and the tag data decompression process are executed in parallel. There must be. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the wide portion indicates that the expansion processing is being performed, and the line portion indicates that the processing is suspended.

  On the other hand, by dividing the bitmap data and the tag data into one line at a time, if the decompression processing or the like is performed on the bitmap data and the tag data for one line during the one scanning period described above, good. At this time, if the sum of the processing time for the bitmap data and the processing time for the tag data is shorter than one scanning cycle, the bitmap data expansion processing and the tag data expansion processing are performed as shown in FIG. Processing can also be performed serially.

  By enabling such processing, the hardware configuration of the output interface unit 32 is simplified.

  In recent years, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have become widespread, and the output interface unit 32 of the image processing apparatus 10 can also be configured using this FPGA. At this time, if the hardware configuration becomes complicated or a complicated control program is required, a large-capacity and high-cost FPGA is required.

  On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 10, the hardware configuration of the output interface unit 32 is simplified, and the control program is relatively simple, so that a low-cost FPGA can be used.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the tag data generated by the tag data generation unit 26 is compressed by the compression unit 30, but the tag data may be used without being compressed. At this time, the compression unit 30 is unnecessary, and the decompression function of the compressed data can be omitted from the decompression unit 48. That is, the tag data corresponding to the pixels of the bitmap data output from the expansion unit 46 may be synchronized and output by performing parallel / serial conversion instead of the expansion unit 48.

  As a result, the hardware configuration of the output interface unit 32 becomes simpler, and the control program becomes simpler. Therefore, even when an FPGA is used, the cost can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the identification code when performing thin line emphasis / gradation emphasis processing is used as tag data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be applied to any identification code that controls

  The present invention is not limited to the image processing apparatus 10 and can be applied to an image processing apparatus having an arbitrary configuration that generates image data for print output based on image data or a drawing command.

It is a schematic block diagram of the principal part of the image processing apparatus applied to this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the principal part of an image processing part. (A) is a schematic diagram of a data configuration continuously output from the image processing unit, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing writing to a page memory. (A) is a timing chart showing an outline of main scanning of the print output apparatus, (B) is a timing chart showing expansion processing that can be achieved by the image processing apparatus applied to the present embodiment, and (C) is expansion of the conventional configuration. It is a timing chart which shows the outline of processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 12 Print output apparatus 14 CPU
22 Image processing unit 24 RIP processing unit (RIP means)
26 Tag data generation unit (tag data generation means)
28 Compression unit (compression means)
30 Compression unit (tag data compression means)
32 Output interface section (output means)
34 page memory (memory means)
38 DMA (storage control means)
46 Stretching part (stretching means)
48 expansion unit (tag data expansion means, tag data conversion means)
50 Synthesis circuit (synthesis method)

Claims (5)

Based on the drawing command or image data, print output bitmap data to be processed by the print output device and tag data for each pixel forming the corresponding image indicating the attribute of the image based on the drawing command or image data are generated. An image processing method for outputting to the print output device,
The bitmap data is compressed and divided for each scan line in the print output device,
From the tag data generated for each pixel of the scan line, tag data for the scan line is generated,
The bitmap data and the tag data of one scanning line are stored in the storage means in succession,
Thereafter, the bitmap data and the tag data for each scanning line are sequentially read from the storage means, subjected to a predetermined conversion process, and output to the print output apparatus. An image for outputting bitmap data for print output to be processed by the print output device based on the image data or the drawing command, and tag data for each pixel forming the corresponding image indicating the attribute of the image based on the drawing command or the image data A processing device comprising:
RIP means for generating bitmap data based on the image data or the drawing command, and dividing the bitmap data for each scanning line in the print output device;
Compression means for compressing bitmap data output in the order of output from the RIP means;
Tag data generating means for generating the tag data for each pixel and outputting the generated tag data for each scan line collectively;
Storage means for storing the bitmap data and the tag data;
Storage control means for continuously reading the bitmap data of the one scan line and the tag data corresponding to the bitmap data in the storage means, and reading the bitmap data and the tag data continuously;
Output means for converting the bitmap data and the tag data read from the storage means for printing processing and outputting them;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The output means is
Decompression means for decompressing the compressed bitmap data and outputting one pixel at a time;
Tag data conversion means for extracting tag data for each pixel from the tag data for one scanning line and outputting tag data corresponding to bitmap data output from the decompression means;
Combining means for adding the tag data output from the converting means to the bitmap data output from the decompressing means to generate the image data for printing for one pixel and outputting it to the print output device; ,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage control unit distributes and outputs the bitmap data and the tag data read from the storage unit to the decompression unit and the tag data conversion unit. .   Tag data decompressing means for decompressing the compressed tag data in the tag data converting means of the output means when including tag data compressing means for compressing the tag data output from the tag data generating means The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

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